Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Practice Test

Which medication is commonly used to treat a severe allergic reaction?

1. Atropine

2. Diphenhydramine

3. Ephedrine

4. Epinephrine

The correct answer is: Epinephrine

Epinephrine is the medication commonly used to treat a severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis. It acts as a powerful vasoconstrictor, increasing blood pressure, and it also relaxes the muscles in the airways, making it easier for the patient to breathe. This dual action is critical because anaphylaxis can cause dramatic drops in blood pressure and severe respiratory distress. Administering epinephrine rapidly reverses these life-threatening symptoms, making it the first-line treatment for severe allergic reactions. Other medications mentioned like atropine, diphenhydramine, and ephedrine serve different purposes. Atropine is typically used for bradycardia or to reduce secretions, diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that can help alleviate mild allergic symptoms but is not sufficient in anaphylactic situations, and ephedrine is primarily used as a bronchodilator or for increasing blood pressure in specific scenarios, but it does not effectively manage anaphylaxis. Thus, while other medications may have roles in treating allergies or related conditions, epinephrine is the most critical for severe allergic reactions, specifically due to its rapid and powerful effects.